Interesting and important though it is to know about the views of potential Labour deputy leaders on Iraq (How Labour's contenders see the war, February 21), it is even more important for the future to know their views on a potential attack on Iran. This is no longer some hypothetical distant threat - it looks like a very real prospect. We cannot afford to slide into "another Iraq".
Nick Holder Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire

So only the two backbenchers admit the war was a mistake. Tony Blair bears the main share of blame for the biggest military and diplomatic blunder in recent British history, but his supine cabinet also deserve censure. Our involvement in Iraq led to the carnage of 7/7. Blair denied any link, but the posthumous testimony of one of the bombers gave the lie to that.Michael Goldman London

Hazel Blears says removing Saddam was "essential for the peace of the region, for the protection of the Iraqi people, and for our own security". That may be how she saw it then, but how has she the nerve to repeat it now, when none of those aims has been, or is likely to be, achieved by the actions she still supports? Karl SabbaghNewbold on Stour, Warwickshire

Three senior Labour party politicians are unable or unwilling to answer hypothetical questions. Politics is about being able to envisage future developments and being ready to deal with them. A politician who cannot deal with hypothetical questions is worthless.Matthew Huntbach London